Bust Matt Bush Busted at Bar, Again

If this story looks familiar to you, it’s because we went through this whole thing four years ago. Matt Bush was the No. 1 overall selection in the 2004 MLB draft. The Padres took the local product ahead of top talents who have already produced in the big leagues such as Justin Verlander and Jered Weaver, because they were looking to cut costs. So far that strategy hasn’t paid off for them with Bush. Bush was suspended by the team before he even played a game in their system because of an altercation outside a nightclub. Yes, that was 18-year-old Matt Bush, the recent top overall pick in the draft, being arrested and charged for one felony and three misdemeanors. Despite saying he had changed, Bush was up to his old tricks recently, getting into another altercation at a Peoria bar. Nice. So far the Padres are playing the Fight Club response — the first rule about Matt Bush’s problems off the field is you do not talk about Matt Bush’s problems off the field.

This guy is just an utter mess. After stinking as a hitter trying to play shortstop in his first two years in the minors, the Padres decided to turn him into a pitcher. That plan was working — for like two weeks — until Bush hurt his elbow and had to get Tommy John surgery. And that brings us to the present day where Bush is supposed to be rehabbing his injury. Instead, Bush is spending his time getting into bar fights. Again. What a bust. Doesn’t he realize he has more responsibility as a first overall pick to represent his organization in a better light? Does he realize that he’s working on becoming the biggest bust in MLB draft history? Can he really be OK with that? How can he not have more pride than that? Makes you really scratch your head.